We went to several "Sidreria" in the Basque Country and this place was far and away the best…read more Perched atop a hill with great views of the Atlantic and Zarautz below. The dining room is nicely appointed. The food was fabulous, in particular the steak. You won't regret making the trek here. You'll need a car.

If you come to San Sebastián and don't stop at Bar Néstor, you've skipped one of the city's great…read moreculinary rituals. This tiny, high‑energy bar in the Parte Vieja is famous for doing just a few things -- and doing them with absolute conviction. The lineup is legendary: the txuleta steak, the tomato salad, the Padrón peppers, and of course, the tortilla that sells out instantly. They make only two tortillas a day, and getting your name on the list feels like joining a local rite of passage. Here's the twist: although the tortilla is the most famous item, it actually wasn't our favorite version in the city. It's still fun to chase, still a cool story to tell, but the real stars of the meal were the steak -- charred, juicy, perfectly salted -- and the tomatoes, which taste like they've been engineered for maximum summer. They only make 2 tortillas a day, so you have to stand in line before they open to get a reservation for a slice. Inside, it's tiny, loud, and joyful. The staff runs the place with precision and a wink, and even when it's packed shoulder‑to‑shoulder, it feels like you're exactly where you're supposed to be. Come early, come hungry, and come ready for a meal that feels like a Basque rite of passage -- tortilla hype and all.

Bar Nestor is one of those Old Town legends that actually earns the legend. It's tiny, slammed, and…read morelaser-focused on a few things they do better than almost anyone: the once-or-twice-a-day tortilla (you put your name down before service and pray), the txuleta that comes out perfectly salted, tomatoes and padrón peppers in season, and a handful of small plates that remind you why Basque cooking is among the greatest in the world. Our favorite bite here wasn't even the gorgeous stuffed ravioli, it was a "noodle" dish where the noodles are actually spiralized squid. Silky ribbons of txipiron, barely kissed by heat so they stay tender, tossed with good olive oil, a little oniony sweetness, herbs, and a snowfall of grated cheese (Idiazabal-like in flavor). Simple, clean, and surprisingly creative at the same time. Exactly what Donostia gets right at its best. The room is a crush (in the best way), the team is friendly but no-nonsense, and the whole operation runs very predictably: show up early if you want tortilla; be ready to stand; order the classics and whatever seafood they're excited about that day.

Made the trip Donostia to Tolosa for steak. Staff are…read moreefficient but hardly friendly. Get the feeling this place is starting for believe the hype. So the veg is great. The wine list is impressive. The selection of steak is good to look at, but I left knowing I could have done better on the Braai ( look it up). All in all a very serious experience when a little mirth could have gone a long way.

This place was great! You definitely need reservations to get here and it books up fast. Great…read morelooking space with large fridge of meats hanging as soon as you walk in. The owner was there sitting on the table in front. You come here for their meat. It's hand cut and brought to your table before cooking on the fire. There's a large fat cap, which adds to the flavor. It's the perfect combination of beefy flavor and tenderness and they cook it to perfection, almost rare. It's a flavor of meat you won't find anywhere except this area. Their chanterelle mushrooms with egg yolk was delicious, as well as their asparagus with cheese sauce. I don't know how they got the asparagus to taste so good and sweet, we had to order another one. They also have a selection of wine and make delicious cocktails too. If you are in San Sebastián, this place is definitely a must try. Service was outstanding as well.

Ugh, I want to be honest but I also want to highlight the good part of the experience, for it was…read morenot a wasted meal. This was not a favorite flavorful experience, for the most part. We did however thoroughly enjoy the small sirloin steak. It was tender, perfectly cooked medium rare, delicious and the best part of the meal. It came with fries that were properly crispy and delicious. Perfect amount of salt and so good!! I would go back for the steak in a heartbeat!! We ordered the tomato and tuna salad, it was OK. Wouldn't order again. The poached egg was different and tasty. It had mushrooms and I enjoyed it. I would order this again. The clams were tasty but a bit larger than I usually like them. I wouldn't order them again. Absolutely did not like the crab. It had so much of the shell that had to be spit out. I would not order this again. I would go back for the steak!! The wine was not my favorite either, we got a bottle of Muga. I will ask for a recommendation next time. I also thought it was super strange that almost everyone with a jacket was asked to hang it on the coat rack (which we didn't notice when we entered), but ours hung from our chairs. This was a last minute trip and we booked what we could for dinner. While I loved the steak, the other things we ordered were a miss.

We shared a majestic, 5-star tomahawk steak cooked perfectly inside a fire oven/grill. We also had…read morefries and a simple, much needed green salad - both were very good. Service was delightful because it was happy and frisky.

What an awesome place! Hiked up from our flat in Casco Viejo, worked up and appetite, and we're…read morerewarded with an excellent lunch! Had the lomo, ensalada, pimientos, and txakoli. All were excellent! Can't wait to come back next week!

What a great stop! Come in the afternoon, as that is the only time you can consume this much meat…read moreand not feel guilty. 30-day aged beef from Galixcia, and salt-crusted and grilled almost Black And Blue for you to finish table side. Fantastic wines.

Wow! Great find just off the main drag…read more Service was friendly, quick and very helpful in pick just the right amount of food. Location just off the high street or great. Not too quiet and plenty to look at rolling by. The food! Tomatoes, peppers, and the steak!!! I really don't need to say much as the pictures tell a far better and more delicious story that I could ever tell.

First time in this Steakhouse, actually sister location across the street, La Txuleteria de Iraeta…read more What a steak! The txuleta is out of this world, rubbed with salt and pepper, brought to the table rare, and you control how much more cooking you want. I honestly had several rare pieces which were perfect! And the accompanying dishes, the green and red tomatoes, in salt, olive oli and dash of vinegar, along with pepper plate are out of this world! If you're in San Sebastián, and are in the mood gor steak, this is the place!

Awesome place in a great town! This is one of few places I'd stop by on regular basis without a…read moredoubt. Tremendous foie gras pintxo (fua like the locals call it)! It can be busy like any other pintxo bar in the afternoons. Definitely i'll go back specially during the san fermin festivities. cheers

Great food. Good value. Good atmosphere. One of the better places we visited in the old city.read more

This came as a recommendation from another restaurant in town. Little did I know there are two…read morecompeting Asadors across the river from each other! Both are excellent. The difference here is their chuleton is for 2 so bring a friend or be prepared to go Bengal Tiger styles. Folks are super nice but make sure you practice your Euskera/Castellamo because Inglés is at a premium

Asador San Martin San Martin, Orio Spain…read more Easily our most favorite restaurant in Basque Country so far.... Located on the top of a hill in the middle of pastures and fields of grapes. In the middle of nowhere. Amazing to see how much food can be consumed in one meal! When it's this delicious, you take your time to enjoy. Ideally with family and friends in a group so you eat everything together and revel in the splendid tastes of some of the best food on Earth. This is the Basque way of life-how lucky to be able to live this way! Our gigantic beef steak was lean,and cooked with sea salt...and raw! And perfect that way! The red peppers were SO deeply flavorful and our dessert....Perfecto! Simple milk pie was warm, slightly sweet from the carmelized sugar top accompanied by a light banana with chocolate bits ice cream. This was like a very light bread pudding. The Basque cheesecake was light, slightly sweet SO very full of flavor served with the perfect side of macerated cherries. The depth of flavor, simplicity of the ingredients and their absolute freshness in a cozy Mountain View setting and the ocean down below. There was light hail falling outside before the sun came out....divine. Speaking Spanish certainly helps as google translate doesn't always describe what's on the menu. Wait staff speak minimal English but can certainly recommend what's wonderful. Parking right out front and reservations recommended.